Abstract
Invasive quagga and zebra mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis and Dreissena polymorpha, respectively) pose a great threat to US waters. Recreational boats constitute a significant risk for spreading the organisms. Recreational boats circulate large amounts of raw water when in use, and if not drained and dried correctly can transport many mussel larvae, called veligers. Veligers experience very high mortality rates; however, the number of potentially transported veligers can be a serious risk to non-infested bodies of water, especially if multiple boats are involved. The risk of veliger transport was calculated for Lake Mead and Lake Michigan using boat capacities for water circulation and specific veliger density data. Results illustrate the importance of draining, drying, and/or decontaminating recreational boats after use.
Highlights
Throughout the past century, ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been used to kill microorganisms or inactivate them
Because UV light is effective across different types of microorganisms, it has been used as a secondary treatment of both wastewater and drinking water (Wolfe 1990)
UV light is used as component of some ballast water management systems to reduce the transfer and release of potential aquatic nuisance species in ballast water discharged from ships (e.g., Gregg et al 2009)
Summary
Throughout the past century, ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been used to kill microorganisms or inactivate them (that is, sterilize or render cells non-viable, preventing reproduction; Hijnen et al 2006). UV light is used as component of some ballast water management systems to reduce the transfer and release of potential aquatic nuisance species in ballast water discharged from ships (e.g., Gregg et al 2009). Other cellular components can be damaged via UV radiation (including both cell membranes and cytoplasmic proteins; Schwartz 1998), damage to DNA is the main mode of sterilization. In this case, exposure to UV radiation generates pyrimadine dimers (linkages between pyrimidine bases), which interfere with DNA replication (Goodsell 2001; Oguma et al 2002). In ballast water applications, characteristics of the ambient water taken up in ports (such as turbidity and the concentration of chromogenic dissolved organic matter) can attenuate the fluence (Hijnen et al 2006), so these parameters must be accounted for in designing ballast water management systems
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call